Bracket assembly



March 25, 1958 l G. A. LHMANN l 2,828,098

y BRACKET ASSEMBLY Filed April 12, 1954 4 n d? INVf/vroR.

;\\\ GEORGE A. LEHMANN ,AM Y. 4 la l ,vg/vl.

\ L V`N` jm, ATTORNEY United States Patent j BRACKET ASSEMBLY George A.Lehmann, Ferguson, Mo., assignor, by mesne' assignments, to The DazeyCorporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri This inventionrelates to improvements in bracket assemblies, and more particularly toan improved foldable bracket assembly having' means for mounting andsupportingy appliances, and including means for attaching the assemblyto a cabinet.

It is a conventional practice to fasten an appliance such as a canopener, knife grinder and the like directly to a wall structure, and toutilize screws or nails for this purpose. The appliance or the bracketon which it is mounted is usually fixed in a readily accessible locationin plain view, which may for several reasons present an undesirable oran impractical arrangement. For example, such an arrangement may beobjectionable 'since it may place the appliance or bracket in anobtrusive location, or the fastening elements may cause visiblechipping, cracking or other damage to the wall nish whether it be oftile, wood or metal. Accordingly, it is a major objective of the presentimprovements to lprovide a bracket assembly for mounting applianceswhich may be conveniently fastened below a cabinet in bridging relationto the front and the rear panels, the bracket assembly including aswingable arm adapted for extension to present the appliance in anoperative position, and adapted for folding to a substantially concealedposition beneath the cabinet when the appliance is not in use. Y

Another important objective is realized in providing a bracketV arm withmeans for fastening the arm to the underside of a wall cabinet so as toconceal the bracket assembly when in a folded or inoperative position.

Still other important advantages are realized in providing a bracepivotally connected to a swingable arm and to a bracket arm, and aspring means connected to the brace, the spring means being adapted tourge the brace in a direction to realize automatic engagement of thebrace with a` stop ony the bracket arm upon actuation of the swingablearm, whereby to retain the swingable arm in an'extendedV position. Theparticular disposition of the spring means relative to the bracepermitsV movement of the brace against spring loading to enableoperative disengagement of thebrace from the stop to elfect collapse ofthe swingable arm.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of theVinvention will more clearly appear `from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered inconnection with'the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a topplan view of the bracket assembly, the assembly beingpartially cut-away to show the operative connection of the braces withthe bracket arm;

Fig. 2r is a side elevational View of the bracket assembly as attachedto the underside of a cabinet structure, the swingable arm being shownin an extended position, and the dashed lines indicating an appliance;

Fig. 3 is a view of the bracket assembly, partly in cross section, asseen along line 3-.3 of Fig. 2;

rFig, 4.isv afragmentary view, partly in crossy section, as seenalongrline4-4 of'Fig. ,1;

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Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the bracket assembly showing theswingable' arm in a folded or collapsed position, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in cross section 'as taken along line 6 6of Fig. 5. Y Y

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, it is seen thatthe bracket assembly includes a bracket arm generally indicated at 10that normally extends transversely of front panel 11 (Fig. 2) and rearpanel 12 of a cabinet. The bracket arm 10 consists of aninverted channelsection having spaced side ilanges 13 and aV bridging piece 14connecting the side flanges. Each end. of the bracket arm 10' isprovided with laterally extending ilanges 15 formed as'a continuation ofside flanges 13, the flanges 15 being provided withV apertures 16 (Fig.3.) adapted to receive screws 17 (Fig. 2) that x the bracket assemblyvto the cabinet structure. f 5

A swingable arm, referred to at 20, is pivotally connected to theforward end portion of bracket arm 10, the swingable arm 20 being ofchannel section including side flanges 21 and a bridging portion 22.Asis seen in Figs. 2 and 4, the side anges 21 are located outwardly ofand adjacent to the side flanges 13 of bracket arm 10. Moreparticularly, the side flanges 21 include a pair of spaced fingerYprojections 23 which are pivotally xed by pin 24. to anges 13 of arm 10,thepin 24 bridging the-pro` jections 23 and side flanges 13. A retainingring 25 is disposed on each end of pin 24, and is adapted to abut theadjacent finger projection 23 so as to secure the pivotally related arms10 and 2i).

When swingable arm 20 is moved to the extended posi tion shown in Figs.2 and 4, the bridging portion 22 is; disposed in a substantiallyvertical plane. The uppermost margin 26 of bridging portion 22 is onlyslightly spaced from side flanges 13 of bracket arm 10, the reasonsbeing more fully discussed later.

The bridging, piece 14 of bracket arm 10A is depressed at spaced regionsalong4 the longitudinal axis of arm 10. These depressions 27 projectinwardly of arm 10 and be.- tween side ilanges 13. Secured by rivets 30to-depressions 27 isY a guide strip 31 which is horizontally spacedfromside flanges 13 as is best viewed in` Fig. 1. For reasons. whichwill later appear, the guide strip 31 is provided with an angulate ordog-leg portion 32 near the rear or. right hand end (Fig.A 4), wherebyto realizeV a regularly increasing dimension between' the strip 31 andtop bridg ing piece 14 from the left hand rivet connection 'to the righthand rivet connection. y

A pair of braces 33 are utilizedy to retain swingable arm 2i) .in itsextended position. One end of eachbrace.

33 is pivotally connected by pin 34 to arm 20, the pinV 34 transverselybridging side llanges 21. Retaining rings 35. shown in Figs. l and 2 arelocated on each end of pin 34, and engage adjacent side flange 21.Disposed about, pin 34 is a compression spring 36, the oppositev endsofwhich engage braces 33, and tend to urge they braces laterallyoutwardly. A spacer element 37 is located on pin 34, and is disposedbetween each brace 33 and the ladjacent side flange 21. It is importantthat the apertures in braces 33 which receive and provide a mounting;

on pin 34 are of su'icient size and dimension to permit the braces 33to. be moved laterally inward along-the axis of pin 34 against theloading of spring 36.

Considerably spaced from the pivotal connectionof braces 33 and arm 20,the braces 33 are provided with instruck lugs 40. Mounted on lugs 40 isanother compression spring 41 which tends to urge braces 33 laterallyoutward. The opposite ends of braces 33 are forcedVV outwardl-yby theactionofthe spring 41 andito a lesser! degree by spring 36 intofrictional contact with theintern'al wall ofside flanges 1'3, l

Each of side anges 13 of bracket arm 10 is provided with an instruckportion that constitutes an abutment 42 that coacts with adjacent brace33 to retain swingable arm 2,0 in an extended position.V Each abutment42 is formed to provide an inner camming surface that normally engagesthe side `of the adjacent brace 33 and acts to move the brace inwardlyagainst spring loading when arm 2t) is extended. To lcooperate withthese abutments 42, each of the braces 33 is provided with a shoulder 43adapted operatively to engage the adjacent abutment 42 upon com pleteextension of arm 20, the springs 36 and 41 tending toV urge the braces33 laterally outward in a direction to permit automatic operativeengagement of shoulders 43 with abutrnents 42.

The braces 33 are further provided with lianges 44 that are received andretained between guide strip 31 and 'bridging piece v14 of arm 10. Theseanges 44 are horizontally disposed when swingable arm is fully extendedso that flanges 44 will eectively abut bridging piece 14 to assistshoulder 43 and abutment 42 in securely holding and locking arm 2li. Aspace is provided between flanges 44 as is shown in Fig. 1 to enabledisconnection Vof shoulders 43 from abutments 42 upon depressing braces33 laterally inwardly against the loading of springs 36 and 41. As willbe apparent from Fig. 5, the ilanges 44 will assume a slightly cantedposition when arm 20 is moved to a folded position. Obviously, thespacing between guide strip 31 and bridging portion 14, as describedpreviously, accommodates this change in angular relation. The flanges 44and hence braces 33 are constrained to reciprocating movement by guidestrip 31 upon actuation of arm 20.

Each of braces 33 is provided with a marginal recess 45 whichaccommodates instruck abutments 42 when braces 33 and arm 20 arecollapsed, as is clearly shown v lby Fig. 5. A dimple 46 formed in oneside flange 21 of arm 20 is adapted for projection into a compatibleaperture 47 provided in the corresponding and adjacent side flange 13 ofarm 10, hence serving to retain arm 20 in a folded relation. Thespringse 36 and 41 Ialso serve to hold arm,20 in any angle from thefolded to the extended positions since the springs urge braces 33 intocontiguous relation and frictional engagement with side flanges 14. Ofcourse, the frictional force is not great enough to impede or obstructeasy sliding actuation of braces 33 on sideanges 13 upon manualoperation of arm 20.

Y To prevent any objectionableplay of arm 2t) when extended for use, anadjustable means is provided that acts to retain arm 20 in an absolutelyrigid position, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Secured to the undersideof bridging piece 14 is a boss 50 having a central bore or passage. Anaperture 51 is provided in bridging piece 14 in register with this bore.Fastened to the lower end of boss 50 is a nut 52, and located in thebore of boss 5@ is a screw element 53 that threadedly engages nut 52.The screw element 53 is readily accessible through the top of piece 14so as to regulate thervertical extension of its lower end below boss 50.As swingable arm 20 is extended, the margin 26 abuts screw element 53immediately upon operative engagement of shoulders 43 with abutments 42.This adjustable screw element 53 realizes an arrangement whicheliminates certain exacting requirements of manufacture, such as theexact location of pin 24, and the otherwise precise machining of margin26.

A bracket 54 is Vfastened by rivets 55 to the lower end of arm 20 (Figs.2, 3 and 4), and is adapted for mounting an appliance which is generallyindicated and shown at S6.

It is believed that the operation and use of the bracket Y Assuming thatthe initial position of arm 20 is foldedk as is shown in Fig. 5, whenthe arm is swung downwardly about pin 24, the flanges 44 areVconstrained by guide strip 31 to a predetermined path of movement toassure automatic engagement of shoulders 43 with abutments' 42. Thespring 41 tends to urge the ends of 'braces 33 apart into contiguousrelation withV side flanges 13. As braces 33 are moved forwardly, thebrace ends bear against abutments 42, and are cammed inwardly againstspring loading. When arm 2i) is disposed vertically Aas determined byengagement of margin 26 with screw elementV 53, the sides of the braces33 clear the abutments 42, and hence braces 33 are urged or snappedoutwardly so that shoulders 43 operatively engage abutments 42. t

To release the braces 33 incident to folding arm 29, the braces aresqueezed or depressed inwardly against spring loading to disengageshoulders 43 from abutments 42. Then the arm 2t) may be swung upwardlyand rearwardly to the collapsed position of Fig. 5. In the preferredstructure, the spring 41 is located so that the above described pressureexerted on the braces 33 may be trans mitted substantially directly tospring 41. In other words, the spring 41 is located :between braces 33in the region normally gripped Ato exert force on the braces to effectrelease of the braces.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed referenceto a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in aninstructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants beingpossible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention j l l I l. In a bracket assembly, a bracket armhaving side flanges, a swingable arm pivotally connected to said bracketarm, an abutment on one of said sider anges of said bracket arm, a pairof braces, one end of each said brace being pivotally connected to saidswingable arm, a guide means fixed stationary on said bracket arm, theother end of each said brace slidably coacting with said guide means,and slidably engaging said side flanges, said guide means restrainingthe brace ends to a predetermined path of movement to insure operativeengagement of one of said braces with said abutment, whereby to retainsaid swingable arm in an extended position, and a spring elementdisposed between said braces, the spring tending to urge said bracesinto sliding engagement with said side flanges, and tending to urge saidone brace into operative engagement with said abutment, the said onebrace being laterally depressible under loading of the spring element todisengage from said labutment.

2. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm including side flanges, aswingabley arm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, a pair ofbraces, one end of each said brace being pivotally connected to saidswingable arm, means for restraining the opposite'end of each said bracefor reciprocating movement within said side flanges, an abutment on atleast one of said side flanges, at least one of said braces having ashoulder adapted to engage said abutment to retain said swingable arm inan extended position, and spring means disposed between said braces, thespring means tending to urge said braces'into slidable engagement withsaid side flanges, and adapted to urge the said brace having saidshoulder laterally against one of said side flanges to permit engagementof said shoulder with said abutment, the last said brace beingdepressible inwardly toward the other brace against the loading of thespring means to disengage said shoulder from said abutment.

3. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm including side flanges, aswingable arm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, a pair of bracespivotally connected to said swingable arm, an abutment kon each of saidside flanges, a spring element disposed between and interconnecting saidbraces, and adapted to urge said braces laterally outward against saidside flanges for sliding engagement, each of said braces being providedwith a shoulder adapted to engage an abutment to retain the swingablearm in an extended position, and a guide means iixed in stationaryposition on said bracket arm `adapted to receive and retain a portion ofeach said brace for reciprocating movement, said braces beingdepressible toward each other against the loading of the spring elementto disengage said shoulders from said abutments to permit folding ofsaid swingable arm.

4. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm, a swingable arm pivotallyconnected to said bracket arm, a brace, a pivot pin pivotally connectingone end of said brace to said swingable arm, a spring elementoperatively connected to said brace, `said spring element normallytending to urge said brace toward said swingable arm, said springelement permitting a lateral movement of said brace along said pivot pinand away from said swingable arm, an abutment on said bracket arm, meansfixed stationary on the bracket arm for restraining the other end of thebrace to a reciprocating movement, said brace including a shouldernormally engaging said abutment to retain the swingable arm in anextended position, a second spring element connected to said brace andspaced from the rst said spring element, the second spring elementtending to urge the brace in a direction to elect engagement of theshoulder and the abutment, the brace being movable against the loadingof said springs to disengage said shoulder and abutment.

5. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm, a swingable arm pivotallyconnected to said bracket arm, said swingable arm having side flanges, apair of braces, a pivot pin connecting one end of each brace to the sideanges, a spring element disposed at said pin and operatively connectingsaid braces, the spring element normally urging said braces in adirection toward said side anges, said spring element permitting lateralmovement of said braces along said pin against the loading of saidspring element, an abutment on said bracket arm, one of said braceshaving a shoulder normally engaging said abutment to retain theswingable arm in an extended position, means for restraining the otherend of each brace to reciprocating movement upon actuation of saidswingable arm, and a second spring element disposed between andinterconnecting said braces, the brace having the shoulder being movableagainst the loading of the second spring element to disengage theshoulder from said abutment.

6. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm having side flanges, a swingablearm pivotally connected to said bracket arm, said swingable arm havingside anges, a pair of spaced braces, a pivot pin connecting one end ofeach brace to the side flanges of said swingable arm, a spring elementdisposed about said pin and between said braces, said spring elementpermitting lateral movement of said braces along said pin against theloading of said spring element, an abutment on each side ange of saidbracket arm, each of said braces having a shoulder normally engaging oneof said abutments to retain the swingable arm in an extended position,means for restraining .the other end of each brace to reciprocatingmovement upon actuation of said swingable arm, and a second springelement disposed between and interconnecting said braces, said secondspring element being spaced from said pin, each of said braces beinglaterally inwardly depressible against the loading of said springelements to disengage v swingable arm being pivotally connected to saidside iianges of said bracket arm, a pair of spaced braces, a pivot pinconnecting one end of each brace to the side lianges of said swingablearm, a compression spring element disposed around the pin, and engagingsaid braces, said spring element permitting laterally inward movement ofsaid braces along said pin against the loading of said spring element, aguide strip connected to said bracket arm, the other end of each saidbrace being provided with an inturned tab, said tabs being retainedbetween said guide strip and said bracket arm, an abutment extendinginwardly of each side flange of said bracket arm, a second compressionspring element disposed between and interconnecting said braces, saidsecond spring element tending to urge said braces laterally outwardagainst the side flanges of said bracket arm, each of said braces beingprovided with a shoulder adapted to engage one `of said abutments toretain the swingable arm in an extended position, said braces beinglaterally inwardly depressible against the loading of said springelements to disengage said shoulders and abutments.

8. In a bracket assembly, a bracket arm of inverted channel sectionhaving side anges and a bridging portion, laterally projecting flangeson each end of said bracket arm adapted for attaching the bracket arm tothe underside of a cabinet, a swingable arm of channel section havingside anges and a bridging portion, the side flanges of said swingablearm being pivotally connected to said side flanges of said bracketarm,'a pair of spaced braces, a pivot pin connecting one end of eachbrace to the side anges of said swingable arm, a spacer element betweeneach of the braces and the adjacent side ange of the swingable arm, acompression spring element disposed about the pin, and engaging saidbraces, said spring element permitting laterally inward movement of saidbraces along said pin against the loading of said spring element, aguide strip connected to the underside of the bridging piece of saidbracket arm, the other end of each said brace being provided with aninturned tab, said tabs being retained between said guide strip and saidbridging piece of the bracket arm, an abutment extending inwardly ofeach side flange of said bracket arm, a second compression springelement disposed between and interconnecting said braces, and beingconsiderably spaced from the rst said spring element, said second springelement tending to urge said braces laterally outward against the sideanges of said bracket arm, each of said braces being provided with ashoulder adapted to engage one of said abutments to retain the swingablearm in an extended position, said braces being laterally inwardlydepressible against the loading of said spring elements to disengagesaid shoulders from said abutments, and an adjustable meansinterconnecting the bracket arm and said swingable arm to limit theextension of said swingable arm.

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